Illinois Governor Signs The Immigrant Tenant Protection Act Into Law

​The law bars landlords from evicting or otherwise retaliating against tenants on the basis of their immigration status or citizenship.

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Illinois has become the second U.S. state to enact the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, a bill that guarantees certain protections for immigrants who rent property in the state.

After signing the bill, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement: "Where you were born has nothing to do with the ability to pay rent on time — which is what the relationship between a landlord and a tenant should really be about. ... We're making Illinois the first state in the Midwest to protect our immigrant tenants and give them a little more relief in these tumultuous times."

The bill will bar landlords from evicting or otherwise retaliating against tenants on the basis of their immigration status or citizenship. It will also prohibit landlords from "intimidating tenants by disclosing or threatening to disclose a tenant's citizenship or immigration status to any person, entity or immigration or law enforcement agency."

Illinois state Rep. Theresa Mah responded to the news, saying: "Immigrant families in my district and all over Illinois deserve to live free of fear of mistreatment, threats, or eviction because of their immigration status. Immigrants are valuable, contributing members of our state and nation."

California was the first state to enact the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, putting it into effect last year.